Neighboring U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings, Downtown East Commons trades in the steel girders, asphalt sidewalks, towering skyscrapers and other manmade works of art for the creations of the greatest artist on the planet, Mother Earth. Divided into two separate pieces, the eastern portion—also known as the Great Lawn— features plenty of open, green space to serve as ground zero for game day festivities and massive amounts of people during the football season, as well as a jungle gym and water jets for the little ones—or anyone—to run through, while the western piece serves as the quieter sibling featuring a spread of trees and shrubbery for a more natural aesthetic, along with the Edition apartments complex. All throughout both sections, visitors will find nearly 200 trees, including honeylocusts, oaks, pines and more, as well as native flowers such as hydrangeas, grey owl juniper and redtwigged dogwood, making it the perfect lunchtime hangout and office getaway.

Kids can play on the jungle gym as parents relax on the nearby benches and soak up the Minnesota summer weather.

Myriad seating options make it easy to get out and enjoy a picnic on the weekends.

The Great Lawn on the eastern side of the park is the perfect spot for Frisbee and volleyball with friends, or to set up shop for a picnic.

The western portion of the park has a quieter feel with more trees and shrubbery than the east side.

Aside from all the lush greenery, Downtown East Commons is host to myriad events that are both free and ticketed. Every third Thursday of the month, you can get your fit on during one of the heart-pumping, energy-packed classes put on by the expert running coaches at Fly Feet Running, or venture out every Tuesday night from July 18 through Sept. 26 from 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. for the Mill City Farmers Market where you can find the freshest of local, organic produce along with food vendors whipping up seasonal dishes and live music.

So whether you are looking to get out of the office, try out a new picnic spot, or craving some fresh air and a change of scenery without leaving downtown, Downtown East Commons has a little something for everyone.

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